Indy Car | Romain Grosjean’s infuriating victory
The IndyCar season has resumed in St. Petersburg. The FFL came close to drama when it saw Grosjean slip away with victory, but luckily it was able to count on an impassable bulwark in the person of Scott McLaughlin.
At the wheel of his Andretti, Romain Grosjean had a solid season last year: just one podium finish in 17 Grands Prix, and 13th place in the drivers’ standings. Formula 1, IndyCar, same fight. But for this new season, the yellow one-seater seems to have been born better. A little bit like Aston Martin this season. Evidence for pole position was slammed by Romain Grosjean in the first race of the season at the St. Petersburg circuit. Romain has never been more Swiss than he was on this tour.
This feeling pole’s position @employee.#INDYCAR // #FirestoneGP pic.twitter.com/Ao5c2ZKbxa
– NTT INDYCAR Series (IndyCar) March 4, 2023
Before the race, another Frenchman hit the motorsport world: Esteban Ocon. A triple penalty obtained during the Bahrain Grand Prix, is enough to give Grosjean thoughts, we think. This time, however, another kind of loss would fall to the French.
Almost a perfect weekend, Grosjean mustn’t mess around here
– Fed 🇫🇷 of the Lose (FFLose) March 5, 2023
Race summary
In the program, 100 laps are scheduled on the St. Petersburg circuit. But rest assured, Simon Pagenaud won’t make one. From the first corners, a massive collision ensues with Devlin DeFrancesco, whose car is literally propelled through the air, spinning like a pinnacle in the St. Petersburg sky. Pagenaud tries to somehow pass, but his sprint ends in the first metres. We couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to the season for him.
tea #FirestoneGP It was red flagged after this incident on the first lap.#INDYCAR // @employee pic.twitter.com/7s50XtKiTi
– NTT INDYCAR Series (IndyCar) March 5, 2023
The race resumed, and Romain Grosjean retained his place as leader. However, another pilot covets her at least as much as he does: Scott McLaughlin. The New Zealander came out of the pits just ahead of Romain Grosjean, and was on the verge of sending Romain into the tire wall for the first time. The French ignore it, but it will be his first and last warning.
contact between MustafaHosny Oh God, Amen And @employee!
#INDYCAR // #FirestoneGP pic.twitter.com/mXbF9bNYbY
– NTT INDYCAR Series (IndyCar) March 5, 2023
With less than 30 laps to go, try again. Scott McLaughlin comes out of the pits a hair in front of Grosjean for the start of his last stint. This time, driver Andretti is doing his best to find what he deserves. Romain folded the New Zealander into the next turn, but it wasn’t to his liking. Fitted with cold tyres, good old Scott loses his back, this time sending the Frenchman into the wall for good. Victory was reaching out to Grosjean, but McLaughlin told him off no.
.MustafaHosny Oh God, Amen And @employee Make contact… again.#INDYCAR // #FirestoneGP pic.twitter.com/9FKkCiff5C
– NTT INDYCAR Series (IndyCar) March 5, 2023
From all angles.
An emotional end to the day @employee.#INDYCAR // #FirestoneGP pic.twitter.com/SakubTpG7d
– NTT INDYCAR Series (IndyCar) March 5, 2023
My job here is done https://t.co/AWiIgpw0hm pic.twitter.com/X1F8gbyu4r
– Fed 🇫🇷 of the Lose (FFLose) March 5, 2023
Double hit
– Fed 🇫🇷 of the Lose (FFLose) March 5, 2023
A lost history of the hunter Grosjean
That directly into the wall is more than just a leak. To understand Roman’s mess, you have to start by putting yourself in his shoes. His last victory dates back to July 30, 2011, then the GP2 driver. Twelve years later, Grosjean finally considered breaking the Indian label. But it was the front wing of his car that was broken. And the worst thing is that it’s not his fault. This injustice we enjoy.
Romain Grosjean was furious as the Frenchman fought for his first victory in the #INDYCAR ! 🤬#FirestoneGPpic.twitter.com/TCiqRuN5OH
Off Track (OffTrack_FR) March 5, 2023
Good lad Scott McLaughlin found Grosjean after the race, just for letting him slip a bit of his “lack of hard feelings” always appreciated.
After a hard-fought battle on the right track, MustafaHosny Oh God, Amen And @employee Discuss calling them late in the race and share a hug.#FirestoneGP #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/falIG6d6Vi
– Christopher DeHarde (@CDeHarde) March 5, 2023
“Scott came over and apologized, that means everything to me. Unfortunately, it doesn’t change much for my race.” R. Grosjean
In the end, Grosjean was 18th at the Grand Prix when he should have won the race. You will sometimes read that Romain Grosjean is Swiss-French. But don’t listen to them, he’s actually French.
Indycar > Destruction Derby
– Fed 🇫🇷 of the Lose (FFLose) March 5, 2023
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